Breast pad for athletic sports brassieres

ABSTRACT

A breast pad for a sports brassiere includes at least one resilient cushioning layer having an inwardly curving shell shape that includes a receiving space for receiving a breast. The cushioning layer has a contour cross section with a thickness increasing towards a central portion of the curving shell shape and is dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple. In further alternative embodiments, the breast pads may be placed in a specifically designed sports bra with at least one pocket or alternatively, the breast pads can be sewn into a conventional sports bra.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/367,956, filed Mar. 25, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a support garment, pad, and in particular, a support garment pad for athletic sports brassieres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Breast support garments include general purpose brassieres for everyday use, swimsuits and athletic sports brassieres specifically engineered for support during exercise. Known athletic sports brassieres flatten and take away from the natural shape of the women's breast due to the tight supported fit of the brassieres. This is especially true for small breasted women who like the support of a sports bra, but do not like the flattened appearance. Examples of sports bras are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,544; 4,816,005; 6,176,761; and D 438,691.

[0004] Breast pads may be used in conjunction with breast support garments. For example, current pads used in general purpose brassieres and swimsuits are typically crescent shaped push up pads or football shaped insert pads that fit primarily on the lower portion of the breast to add to overall breast volume. These push up pads and bra/swimsuit inserts are not ideal for use with sports bras for several reasons. These known pads and inserts, due to their small size will tend to move inside the sports bra during exercise. Examples of crescent shaped bra pads for use in general purpose bras and swimsuits are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,992,074; 6,015,332; 6,231,423; and D 294,650. Alternatively, rather than crescent shaped or football shaped insert pads, some prior pads are spherically shaped such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,005. With regard to both crescent shaped pads and spherically shaped pads, these pads have edges which are very visible under a tight fitting sports bra, leading to an undesirable appearance. Therefore, prior breast pads are not ideal for use with a sports bra.

[0005] More recent developments in bra pads employ fluids or gels inside sealed cup shaped pads to enhance breast appearance. However, the motion and weight of fluids and gels is highly undesirable during exercise. Examples of these pads are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,224,458 and 5,340,352.

[0006] Further, protective sports bras are available for high impact sports in which a rigid protective insert such as a hard plastic cup is provided in the bra. These rigid cups are uncomfortable and unnecessary for most sporting activities. Examples of these bras are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,607,640; 5,244,432; and 5,806,103.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a breast pad for athletic sports brassieres.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a breast pad for being placed inside a sports brassiere and adjacent a wearer includes at least one resilient cushioning layer having an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast. The cushioning layer has a contour cross section with a thickness increasing towards a central portion of the curving shell shape. The cushioning layer is dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a support garment includes a sports brassiere and at least one breast pad. The breast pad has at least one resilient cushioning layer positioned between a wearer's breast and the support brassiere when the sports brassiere is worn. The cushioning layer has an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast. The cushioning layer also has a curved cross section with a thickness increasing towards a central portion of the curved shell shape. Further, the cushioning layer is dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.

[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing padding in a sports bra includes inserting breast pads into a sports brassiere on a wearer. The breast pads each have at least one resilient cushioning layer with an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast. The cushioning layer has a contoured cross section with a thickness increasing towards a central portion of the curving shell shape and the cushioning layer is dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals, and wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of a breast pad according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a front view of a user wearing a sports brassiere with a breast pad of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the user with the athletic sports brassiere and breast enhancement pads of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a partial back view of a sports brassiere with breast pad in accordance with one form of the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 5 is a back view of a sports brassiere with breast pad in accordance with another form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The breast pads for athletic sports brassieres according to the present invention, are adjustable, lightweight, removable breast pads specifically designed to be worn with athletic sports brassieres. The pads add the fullness, lift, natural enhancement, and added support desired by small breasted women when working out in athletic sports brassieres. The breast pads of the present invention may be used with a large variety of athletic sports brassieres to enhance the size and shape of the wearer's breasts.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the breast pads are each substantially tear drop shaped when viewed from the front and are contoured or molded to have the shape of women's breasts. According to one preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a present pad 10 includes an inner layer of absorbent fabric 12 attached to one or more layers of cushioning material 14.

[0019] In one advantageous form, the absorbent fabric 12 is a poly/cotton fabric. The cushioning material is preferably a durable lightweight material such as those materials used in contoured shoulder pads and padded bras. For example, the cushioning material 14 may be a lightweight polyurethane foam, rubber foam, or PVC foam. The cushioning material is not a rigid material and will flex during exercise for comfort. An optional additional layer of protective fabric material may be provided on an outside of the cushioning layer or layers 14 to improve the durability of the breast pads. The materials of the pad are preferably hand washable.

[0020] The pads 10 differ from the foam sports bra pads currently on the market in that they cover not only a lower portion of the breast but substantially the entire breast to provide a smooth and invisible appearance when in use. Further, this form provides increased volume and shape to breasts which are normally less full and thus, enhancing the bust line altogether. In cases where an already full breast needs the resistance of a tighter sports bra, the pad 10 in conjunction with a sports bra will replace the typically flattened look with a flattering one yet furnish equal support.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the breast pads each have an upper portion A arranged to be positioned above the nipple of the breast, a central portion B, and a lower portion C arranged to be positioned below the nipple of the breast.

[0022] The upper and lower portions of the breast pad taper from a largest thickness adjacent the central portion of the breast pad to the smallest thickness at an edge of the breast pad. The edges of the breast pad 10 preferably have a thickness of about 1 to about 5 mm while a central portion of the breast pad preferably has a thickness of about 6 to about 25 mm, and more preferably about 10 to about 20 mm.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in use, the breast pads 10 are inserted between the wearer's breast and a standard sports brassiere 16 with the absorbent inner layer of fabric 12 against the wearer's skin 18. The breast pads are preferably provided in a plurality of cup sizes but they also may be trimmed around the edges to achieve a better fit.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, although the removable breast pads 10 of the present invention are designed to be used with most sports brassieres, the breast pads 10 may also be made to be used with a specifically design sports brassiere 46 having one or two pockets such as pocket 48 which specifically accommodate the breast pads 10. In the case of the breast pads designed specifically to be inserted into a pocket in a sports brassiere, the inner absorbent fabric layer 12 may be omitted. Sports brassiere 46 advantageously may consist of a combination of Supplex™, Lycra™, Cotton and Spandex™ fabrics.

[0025] Advantageously, a mesh cotton/poly/nylon lining forms the pocket 48 of the sports bra 46. The breast pads 10 are inserted through a fitted seam 49 that will hold the pads 10 in place. This will permit no shifting of the pads 10, yet allow seemingly natural movement of the breast and chest muscles during the wearer's activities. The meshed lining provides for cooling and allows for sweating to not be encumbered. Also, by having the fitted lining stitched free of the pads 10, the mobility in the upper torso will have natural give and flex permitting stability and comfort.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the pads 10 may be sewn into a sports bra 56 via stitching 59 rather than being disposed in a pocket. Sports bra 56 can be formed of the same material as sports bra 46.

[0027] In a further embodiment, pads 10 may include a nipple extending from the surface of the cushioning material 14. When mated with a sports bra, the nipple would be visible as a raised projection extending outward from the surface of the sports bra.

[0028] While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A breast pad for being placed inside a sports brassiere and adjacent a wearer, said pad comprising: at least one resilient cushioning layer having an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast, said cushioning layer having a contoured cross section with a thickness increasing toward a central portion of the curving shell shape, said cushioning layer dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.
 2. The breast pad of claim 1, further comprising an inner layer of flexible material attached to said cushioning layer and configured to fit around the breast.
 3. The breast pad of claim 2, wherein said inner layer comprises an absorbent material.
 4. The breast pad of claim 1, wherein said cushioning layer is tear drop shaped when viewed from the front as worn.
 5. The breast pad of claim 1, wherein said cushioning layer comprises foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, rubber and PVC.
 6. The breast pad of claim 1, wherein said cushioning layer comprises an upper and a lower portion tapered in thickness from a largest thickness adjacent said central portion of said cushioning layer.
 7. The breast pad of claim 6, wherein edges of said upper and said lower portions of said cushioning layer have a thickness of around 1 to 5 mm and said central portion has a thickness of around 6 to 25 mm.
 8. A support garment comprising: a sports brassiere; and a breast pad comprising at least one resilient cushioning layer positioned between a wearer's breast and said sports brassiere when said sports brassiere is worn, said cushioning layer having an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast, said cushioning layer having a contoured cross section with a thickness increasing toward a central portion of the curving shell shape, said cushioning layer dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.
 9. The support garment of claim 8, wherein said brassiere comprises at least one pocket into which said breast pad is disposed.
 10. The support garment of claim 8, wherein said at least one cushioning layer is sewn into the sports brassiere.
 11. The support garment of claim 8, further comprising an absorbent inner layer of flexible material attached to said cushioning layer and configured to fit around the breast.
 12. The support garment of claim 8, wherein said breast pad is tear drop shaped when viewed from the front as worn.
 13. The support garment of claim 8, wherein said cushioning layer comprises foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, rubber and PVC.
 14. The support garment of claim 8, wherein said cushioning layer comprises an upper and a lower portion tapered in thickness from a largest thickness adjacent said central portion of said cushioning layer.
 15. A method of providing padding in a sports bra, said method comprising: inserting breast pads into a sports brassiere on a wearer, the breast pads each comprising: at least one resilient cushioning layer having an inwardly curving shell shape that is provided with a receiving space for receiving a breast, the cushioning layer having a contoured cross section with a thickness increasing toward a central portion of the curving shell shape, the cushioning layer dimensioned to substantially cover a lower portion of the breast below the nipple, a central portion of the breast, and an upper portion of the breast above the nipple.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein inserting breast pads into an sports brassiere further comprises inserting the breast pads into a pocket of the sports brassiere.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein inserting breast pads into an sports brassiere further comprises sewing the breast pads to the sports brassiere.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the breast pad is tear drop shaped when viewed as worn from the front.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the cushioning layer comprises foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, rubber and PVC.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the cushioning layer comprises an upper and a lower portion tapered in thickness from a largest thickness adjacent the central portion of the cushioning layer. 